ROADS were closed, buildings were damaged and St Helens’ Christmas Tree snapped and toppled over as high winds struck St Helens today.

As gales battered the north west, emergency services were called into action throughout the borough.

The tree in Victoria Square snapped near its base and fell this morning. No one was harmed.

Elsewhere this morning, firefighters were called out to Ormskirk Street after a number of tiles had fallen from a roof, and the area had to be cordoned off.

Crews spent an hour at the scene and used an aerial appliance, with an extended ladder, to access the roof and remove loose tiles.

Firefighters also attended Prescot Road at around midday, after a tree had fallen across three lanes of traffic.

Crews used saws to help cut away branches and St Helens Council was requested to remove the tree. Police officers closed the road while the incident was being dealt with.

A window also blew out of a terraced property on the same road shortly afterwards and loose bricks were falling from the building.

A cordon was set up around the site and building control officers had to be called.

Firefighters were also called out to St Georges Road at 12.50pm to deal with a garage roof that was in dangerous condition. A section of the roof was loose due to the high wind and had to be made safe.

Chris Case, St Helens district manager for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We advise people to take special care during the strong wind.

“People are advised to check flood warnings and weather warnings before their journey. Residents are urged to be especially careful around coastal areas, lakes and canals.”